More Marlborough people are packing up to move to Australia for what they see as a better lifestyle and more money.
Statistics NZ figures show 385 people left Marlborough during the year to June 30 heading for Australia with the intention of staying long-term. That is more than any year since regional statistics were first recorded in 1992.
The permanent and long-term migration data is based on people saying they intend to leave the country for at least 12 months.
During the same 12 months, 76 Kiwis returned from Australia to Marlborough, and 110 returned to the province from other countries.
A Marlborough couple moved south of Perth with their children, aged 7 and 9, three years ago because they "weren't going anywhere fast" financially in Blenheim.
Wendy Brenssell, 40, said it had been a difficult decision to leave, but she and husband, Mike, who drove trucks from Picton to Christchurch, were told he could earn more in Australia.
"When you've got two young kids you have to put money first," she said.
Mr Brenssell, 42, moved to Western Australia first to test the waters and make sure the information they had been given was correct.
It was – and the family followed about nine months later, Mrs Brenssell said.
Her husband got a job as a long-haul driver making about $100,000 rather than the $40,000 he was earning in Marlborough, and he had since started working in a mine.
They have bought a property in Australia, but have kept their home in Blenheim to give them an option to come back in the future.
Their new home in is a town about the same size and population as Blenheim with property sizes and rates also about the same, she said. But the family got better government family payments, healthcare benefits and more tax back at the end of each year.
"We're better off financially – we don't have to watch every dollar like we did in Blenheim."
Their lifestyle was also better, she said. "Mike does two weeks away and one week at home [for his job], so when he's home he gets to spend time with the kids. That's invaluable to them."
Another Marlborough couple moving to Australia say the better income and lifestyle are behind their move, although they plan to come back eventually.
Kevin "KC" Columbus, a builder, will be following wife Robyn, a nurse, later this month after she found a job as an agency hospital nurse and moved to the Gold Coast five weeks ago.
They have both lived in Blenheim for more than 40 years and had always talked about travelling, he said. Building work was drying up and their two adult daughters had left home, so the time was right.
He did not not have a job lined up but had some contacts. Mrs Columbus was earning more in Australia than she had in New Zealand.
They have decided not to sell their home in Blenheim. "We're not cashing up and moving over. We'll come back home; this will always be home," Mr Columbus said.
THINKING OF MOVING?
Have you gone to Australia and decided to return to New Zealand? We'd like to hear about your experience. Email mailbox@marlexpress.co.nz
- The Marlborough Express
Why are we moving to Oz?
Record 385 leave Marlborough in last year
SIMON WONG
MOVING ON: Kevin and Robyn Columbus have lived in Blenheim for more than 40 years, but Robyn has already gone to Australia and Kevin will be following her.
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